Implement mounting for tractors



June 27, 1939. H. c. BUFFINGToN 2,163,562

IMPLEMENT MOUNTING Foa TRAcToRs *A Filed MaICh 19, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 27, H. c. BUFFINGTON IMPLEMENT LMOUNTING FOR TRACTORS Filed March 19,` 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aww June 27, 1939.V

H. c. BUFFINGTON ,2,163,662

IMPLEMENT MOUNTING FOR TRACTORS Filed March 19, 1937 l4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented June 2,7, 1939A PATENT OFFICE MPLEM'ENT MOUNTING FOB TRACTORS Harry C. Buington, Springfield, Ill.,

Baker Manufacturing Co., Springiield,"

assignor to lll., a

corporation of Illinois Application March 19, 1937, Serial No. 131,802

14 Claims.

mounted on push beams'carried by the tractor` l and extending forwardly of the tractor on the outside of the tracks thereof. However, since track laying tractors are turned by disengaging one track, it is desirable to have the tracks spaced `apart as faras practical to obtain more powery l for turning. Thiswide spacing of the tracks ob,-

viously gives the driven track a longer force arm in swinging about the disengaged track and even though the driving power applied to the driven track is not increased the actual turning power .lo of the tractoris increased because of this longer force arm.

Furthermore the tracks themselves should be made as wide as practical to increase the traction for the tractor. 5 In these desirable so-called wide gauge tractors, the push beams for implement blades, ,when mounted to extend on the outside of the tracks, are obviouslyspaced farther apart than on a narrow gauge tractor, thereby necessitating the use' 30 of longer implement blades which require more power to operate and add greatly to the weight carried by the tractor. Since the tracks themselves are widened in the wide gauge tractor a mounting of the push beams on the track frames,

35 which are in the centers. of the tracks, necessi` tates the use of longer and heavier 'connecting brackets so that the push beams can clear the tracks.

In the wide gauge tractors the axle housing, springs and the like which connect the track frames to the motor frame or tractor body are lengthened to accommodate the wider gauge or greater center-to-center distance between the tracks. Spaces are thus provided between the A45,/ motor frame or body frame of the tractor and the tracks.

According to this invention the spaces between the motor frame and tracks of wide gauge tractors are utilized for receiving the push beams for.

implement blades. These push beams are pivot ed on the rear axle housing of the tractor and are operated by fluid pressure jacks acting against a transverse equalizer bar mounted at its ends on the transverse centers of the track frame. 'I 'he push beams are bowed upwardly to allow clearance above the equalizer bar so that they can be .lowered to force the implement blade into the ground below the tractor level if desired.

As a result of such mounting of the pushlbeams, the implement blade carried thereby can be 5 much shorter in comparison to the long implement blades required on wide gauge tractors when carried by push beams mounted on the outside of the tracks. The implement blade is thus made considerably lighter and excessive strain and wear on the tractor is avoided. At the same time the increased turning and traction power for the tractor is fully utilized.

Implement blades requiring an outside frame such as grade builders that have adjustable l struts for angling the implement blade and snow plows having a wing extension are conveniently provided with such necessary outside frames in the push beam mounting arrangement of this invention by securing extension members to the rear parts of the push beams for extending through the tracks to receive the ends of the struts or other outside frames. Nevertheless the inside mounting of the push beams is maintained.

It is then an object of this invention an implement blade mounting structure for wide gauge tractors that does not necessitate a lengthening of the implement blade.

A further object of this invention is to dispense with outside push beams in bulldozers, y snow 4plows, grade builders, Scrapers and the like machinery driven by tractors of the track layingv type.

Another object of this invention is to provide an equalizer bar mounting for intercommunieating fluid pressure implement blade operating means permitting movement of the track frames in going over uneven ground without affecting the-position of the imp-lementblade.

Another object of this invention is to provide, 40 in wide gauge track laying tractors, a transverse bar supported at its ends on the transverse centers of the track frames for hydraulic connection with the push beams of implement blade mountings. 45 A further object ofthis invention isvthe provision of extension members adapted to be secured to push beams mounted between the motor frame and the track frames of wide gauge trac- 5 tors for extending outwardly through the tracks to receive outside frames.

Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the annexed to provide 25 70 vareutilizedfor receiving the push beams 25. The

sheets of drawings which disclose a. preferred embodiment of the invention.

On the drawings: y

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a wide gauge tractor of the track laying type having a bulldozer blade mounting thereon according t0 this invention, with part of the track broken away to more clearly show the mounting.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1. 4 Figure 3 is a cross sectional view with parts in elevation, taken along the line III-III of Figure 2 and with other parts broken away and shown in cross section.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the equalizer bar and the transverse tractor spring.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of a grade builder mounting according to this invention on a wide gauge track laying tractor with parts of the tracks broken away.

Figure 6 is a vertical cross sectional view, with parts in elevation, taken along the line VI--VI of Figure 5. I

Figure '1 is a vertical cross sectional view, with parts shown in elevation, taken along the line VII- VII of Figure 5.

As shown on the drawings:

In Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5 the reference numeral I0 designates generally a wide gauge track laying tractor. The tractor l0 comprises a body portion or motor frame II and track frames I2 extending longitudinally on each side of the body portion II in spaced relation therefrom. The track frames I2 are pivotally supported adjacent their rear ends on the rear axle I3 of the tractor I8. The forwardends of the track frames l2 are connected to a transverse spring I 4. The tractor body or motor frame I0 is mounted on the central portion of the spring by means of af yoke member I5 bolted to the body portion or motor frame Il and extending downwardly therefrom on each side of the center of the spring as shown in Figures 3 and 4. A. bushing member or bearing member I6 is mounted under'the spring lf3 between the arms of the yoke member I5 and. is secured to the yoke member by means of a pin I1 as best shown in Figure 4. The bearing member I6 has arms I8 extending laterally from each side on the top thereof. cured at the ends thereof to the spring I4 by means of U-shaped straps I9.

An axle housing 20 encasing the axle i3 of the tractor has the ends thereof extending from each side of the motor frame or tractor body Il and supports or partially supports sprocket gears 2| driven by the axle I3. 'Ihe sprocket gears 2| are in driving engagement with crawler type tracks 22 surrounding the track frames I2. Idler Wheels 23 are rotatably supported at the forward ends of the track frames I2 and support the forward ends of the tracks 22. The idler wheels 23 have flanges 23a for guiding the tracks 22.

In the wide gauge tractor structures described above there are provided spaces 24 between the tractor body or motor framel I and the tracks 22. These spaces are continuous except for the axle housing 20 and the transverse spring I4 which 'extend therethrough.

AAccording to this invention, these spaces 24 push vbeams 25 are-pivotedat their rear ends on brackets 26 bolted directly on the rear axle housing 20., The push beams 25 are preferably bowed upwardly in -the central portions thereof as The arms I8 are setrack frames.

shown at 21 (Fig. 1) so as to be disposed in spaced relation above the spring I4.

Spaced opposed arms 28 extend upwardly from the tops of the bowed portions 21 of the push beams 25 and carry bearing members 29 at the top ends thereof extending therebetween in rotatable relation thereto. The bearings 29 have boss portions 30 at the centers thereof. Cylinders 3| of fluid pressure jacks are disposed between the arms 28 and are pivoted at their top ends to the boss members 30 of the bearings 29. Wide openings 32 are formed through the push beams 25 as best shown in Figure 1 for receiving therethrough piston rods 33 extending from the cylinders 3|. Yokes 34 are secured to the ends of the piston rods 33.

An equalizer bar designated generally by the reference numeral 35 in Figures-3 and 4 is mounted transversely between the track frames I2 near the forward ends thereof on the transverse centers of the track frames. The equalizer bar 35 can be conveniently fitted around the transverse spring I4 of the tractor and for this purpose can 'be composed of two spaced opposed side walls 36 and 31 bowed outwardly at the mid-portions thereof as at 38 to dei-lne spaces 39 in which the spring may be placed and an enlarged space 40 for receiving the spring mounting means. The ends of the walls 36 and 31 are joined by connecting bottom portions 4| which extend below the bottom edges of the Walls. Reinforcing connecting portions 42 also join the walls 36 and 31 at points spaced from the connecting members 4|. The reinforcing connecting portions 42 are diS- posed in the spaces 24 between the motor frame Il and the track frames. The portions 42 and the portions 4| can be formed integral with the side walls 36 and 31.

As best shown in Figure 3 the portions 4I of the equalizer bar 35 are mounted on top of the track frames 2 at the transverse centers of these frames. Strap members 43 have offset portions disposed over the connecting portions 4I and have the ends thereof securely bolted to the track frames I2 to rigidly clamp the equalizer bar 35 to the track frames. The ends of the main spring leaves of the spring I4 are disposed on top of the straps 43 and are held thereon by pins 44 mounted in the side walls 36 and 31 of the equalizer bar.

Pins 45 extend through the side walls 36 and 31 above the reinforced portions 42 for receiving therearound bearings or bushings 46 disposed between the side walls 36 and 31. As best shown in Figure 3 these bearings 46 are swivelly conconnected to the equalizer bar 35 which is mounted at its ends on the transverse centers of the An operation of the piston rods 33 into and out of the cylinders 3| will thus cause a raising and lowering of the push beams 25 about their pivot points on the axle housing 20.

As is customary in fluid pressure jacks, the piston rods are connected to pistons disposed in the cylinders 3|. Oil is supplied to the cylinders on either side of thepistons therein through tubes 41 and 48 communicating respectively with the top and bottom ends of the cylinders 3| and with a control valve 49. Oil for operating the pistons is stored in a tank 58 mounted adjacent the drivers seat of the tractor.\4A pump (not shown) driven by the tractor removes oil\through a pipe 75l Anected to the yokes 34 on the ends of the piston 5| from the tank 50 for supplying the oil, under pressure through a pipe 52 to the valve 49. The valve 49 is operated by a control handle 53 for .directing the oil into either the tubes 41 or the tubes 48 depending on whether or not it lis desired to force the piston rods 33 out of the cylinders 3l for raising the push beams or to force the piston rods 33 into the cylinders 3| for lowering the push beams. 'I'he tubes 41 and' 48 supply both cylinders 3| and these cylinders are therefore in fluid communication with each other. Qil is returned from the cylinders through the valve 49 and through a pipe 54 back to the oil tank 50.

The fluid pressure operation of the hydraulic jacks is more -fully described and illustrated in my U. S. Patent No. 2,044,933 entitled: Scraper or grader granted June 23,` 1936.

In Figures 1 and 2 a bulldozer blade or mold board 55 has rearwardly extending arms 56 thereof -bolted to the forward ends of the push beamse 25. This mountingprovides a complete bulldoaerJ structure.

When it is desiredto use the implement blade mounting of this invention on a mold board or implement blade requiring angular adjustment with respect to the .tractor the push beams of this invention. are adapted to receive extension members for supporting the adjusting struts as shown in Figure 5.

The push beams 25 have bracket receiving flanges 60 formed thereon near their rear ends. Extension members 6I are bolted to the flanges 60 and extend through the tracks 22. Strut guides 62 are bolted to the outer faces of the extension members 6| and extend forwardly from these members.

A yoke member 63 has arms 64 thereof bolted to the forward ends of the push beams 25. The yoke member 63 also has wing portions 65 extending outwardly from the arms 64. The forward ends of the strut guides 62 are bolted to the ends ofthe Wings 65 of the yoke member 63.

Struts 66 are slidable on the strut guides 62 and are connected at their forward ends to rthe end portions of a grade builder blade or mold board 61 which is pivotally connected as at 68 to the center of the yoke member 63.

Angular adjustment of the grade builder mold board 61 relative to the tractor I0 is readily made by sliding the struts 66 on their guides 62 until the mold `board 61 is disposed at the proper angle. The struts 66 are then locked against longitudinal movement on the guides 62 by means of pins (not shown) extending through holes 66a in the struts and selected holes 62a in the strut guides or by means of any other clamping devices. A plurality of holes 62a are provided in lspaced relation on the strut guides to permit locking of the struts in various positions.

Rubbing plates or guides 10 for the push beams are mounted on each side of the tractor body near 'the front end of the tractor to prevent the `push beams from contacting the tractor body.

Since the push beams are pivotally connected on the axle housing of the tractor and since the hydraulic jacks act against an equalizer bar supported' on the transverse centersof the track frames, the weight of-the implement mounting and implement blade is carried directly on the track frames.

Since the hydraulic cylinders are in intercommunicating fluid pressure relation as described without affecting the position ofthe implement blade because, as one track frame is raised, the

piston on the raised side will tend to move up- 'inder into the lower end of the other cylinder.

It is thus obvious that an equilibrium is maintained and .thev track frames may move independent of each other without changing the position of the push beams to tilt the implement blade.

It should be understood that the equalizer bar 35 need not Vbe disposed around the transverse spring I4 but can be separately mounted on the track frames in spaced relation from the spring.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, a tractor having a motor frame, track frames longitudinally thereof in spaced relation therefrom and a rear axle housing extending between the motor frame and the track frames, push beams disposed between the motor iframe Vand track frames, an implement mounted on said push beams, means pivotally connecting the push beams with the axle housing, a support mounted on the track frames and extending transversely across the tractor, and means acting against said support forvraising and lowering the push beams relative to the tractor.

2. In combination, a tractor having a body frame, track frames on each side of said body each side of the body frame in spaced relation therefrom, an axle housing extending between the body frame and track frames, push beams disposed between the track frames and body'` frame, an implement blade carried by the push beams, means pivotally lconnecting the push beams with the axle housing, a bar extending transversely of the tractor under the body frame and mounted at its ends on the track frame, fluid pressure cylinders suspended Afrom said push beams, piston rods operative in said cylinders,

means connecting the piston rods With the transverse bar and means for supplying fluid under pressure toA the cylinders for operating the piston rods to raise and lower the push beams relative to the tractor.

' 4. In combination, a tractor having a main frame, track frames on each side of said main frame in spaced longitudinal relation therefrom, an axle housing extending between the track frames and main frame, push beams disposed between the track -frames'and main frame, an

implement blade carried by the push beams, means pivotally connecting the push beams to the axle housing,- said push beams being bowed upwardly at the mid-portions thereof, a support extending transversely of the tractor under the body frame and beneath the bowed portions of the push beams, means connecting the ends ofy the support on the transverse centers of th'e track frames, and fluid pressure means operatively connecting the push beams with the support whereby the push beams are adapted to be swung about their pivot points.

5. A push beam for tractor operated road implements comprising a beam member bowed upwardly at the mid-portion thereof, arms extending upwardly from the mid-portion of said beam member in spaced opposed relation, means formed `at one end of said beam for pivotal connection to a tractor and means formed at the other end of said beam for receiving a road implement.

6. A push beam for tractor operated road implements comprising a beam member having a vertically offset central portion, arms extending upwardly from said offset central portion in spaced opposed relation, said beam having an opening therethrough in alignment Awith the space between said arms, means at one end of said beam for pivotal connection to a tractor, and means-at the other end of said beam for receiving a road implement.

7. In combination a tractor having a motor frame, track frames longitudinally of the motor frame in spaced relation therefrom, an axle housing extending between the track frames and n motor frame, a support extending transversely of the tractor under the motor frame, means for mounting the ends of said support on the transverse centers of the track frames, push beams disposed between the track frames and motor frame having vertically offset center portions above the support, an implement blade carried by the push beams, means pivotally connecting the ends of the push beams with the axle housing, fluid pressure cylinders suspended from the push beams above the offset portions thereof, piston rods operative in said cylinders extending through the push beams and means `connecting the ends of the piston rods with the support whereby the push beams can be swung about their pivot po-ints with the weights thereof borne on the track frames.l

8. In a track laying tractor having -a motor frame, track frames on each side of the motor frame longitudinally thereof yin spaced relation therefrom, a transverse spring extending under the motor frame and supported at its end on the track frames, a support member having side walls on each side of said spring, end portions connecting the bottoms of the side walls, means for securing said end portions on the transverse centers of the track frames, push beams disposed between the main frame and the track frames pivotally connected at their ends to the axle housing and having vertically offset portions disposed over the side walls ofthe supporting member, hydraulic cylinders suspended from said push beams, piston rods operative in said cylinders and extending therefrom and universal means connecting the ends of the piston rods with the supporting member intermediate the ends thereof whereby the push beams can be swung aboutl their pivot points by action of the piston rods against the supporting member and the tractor spring can operate without interference from said member.

2,1es,cea

9. In combination, a tractor having a motor frame, track frames longitudinally thereof in spaced relation therefrom, a rear axle housing extending between the track frames and the motor frame, push beams disposed between the track frames and the motor frame, an implement blade mounted` on the front ends of the push beams; means pivotally connecting the rear ends of the push beams with the axle housing, a support extending transversely under the motor frame and mounted at its ends on the transverse centers of the track frames, uid pressure cylinders suspended from the push beams, piston rods operative into and out of said cylinders, means connecting the ends of the piston rods with thev transverse support, tubes interconnecting the upper ends of the cylinders, additional tubes interconnecting the lower ends of the cylinders, and means for selectively delivering fluid under pressure to said tubes whereby the cylinders are in intercommunicating relation and the track frames may move freely in going over uneven ground without affecting the position of the push beams because of the fluid communication between the cylinders.

of the push beams, arms on said yoke member extending beyond the track frames, guide members secured to said arm members and to said l extension members, a mold board pivoted to the yoke member at the center thereof, struts linked to the ends of the mold board and extending rearwardly thereof in slidable relation on said guides and means for raising and lowering said push beams for operation of said mold board.

11. In combination, a tractor having a body frame, track frames longitudinally of the body frame in spaced relation therefrom, an axle.

housing extending between the body frame and track frames, tractor belts 4disposed around the track frames, push beams disposed between the tractor belts and body frame, means pivotally connecting the ends of the push beams on the axle housing, extension members secured to the pushv beams near the pivotal axes thereof and extending laterally therefrom to the outsides of the tractor belts within the loops of said belts,

means for securing an implement on the forward ends of the push beams, and means for supporting adjusting devices for said implement on said extension members.

12. A grade builder comprising a tractor having a body frame, track frames longitudinally of said body frame in spaced relation therefrom, an axle housing extending between the track frames and body frame, a supporting member extending transversely under the body frame, means for mounting the ends of said member on the transverse centers of the track frame, tractor belts looped around the track frames, push beamsl disposed between the tractor belts and body frame, means pivotally connecting the ends of the .push

beams on the axle housing, extension members bolted to the push beams near the pivotal axis thereof extending through the loops of the tractheir pivotal axes, spaced opposed arms extendtor belts to the outsides of the belts, a yoke member secured to the forward ends of the push beams, side arms on saidyoke member extend'- ing beyond the tractor belts, strut guides bolted lto the extension members and to the side arms of the yoke member, a mold board pivotally connected at its center to said yoke member,

struts pivoted to the ends of the mold board in slidable-relation on said strut guides, hydraulic cylinders suspended from the push beams, piston rods extending .from said cylinders and means for universally connecting the ends of the piston rods with the transverse support whereby the weight of the mold board and mounting mechanisi is borne on the track frames.

y/13. In combination, a tractor having a body frame, track frames longitudinally of said body frame in spaced relation therefrom, a support member for the body frame mounted at its ends on the track frames, push beams extending longitudinally of the tractor in the spaces between the track frames and the motor. frame, said push beamsbeing pivoted at their rear ends to the tractor, an implement device carried by the front ends of the push beams, said push beams having vertically `oilset central portions disposed above the 'support member so as to provide a clearance between the support member and the push beams when the latter are moved about ing upwardly from said vertically oiset vcentral portions of the push beams, said push beams having openings therethrough in alignment with the the body frame and the track frames, push beams disposed between the track frames and body frame, an implement blade carried by the push beams,`means pivotally connecting the push beamsv with the axle housing, said push beams having integral upwardly bowed portions intermediate the ends thereof for allowing the push beams to be moved downwardly to lower the implement below the bottom of the tractor and extension 4member receiving means on said push beams near the rear ends thereof adapted to vreceive exten- Vsion members extending outwardly beyond the track frames to form supports for implement blade strut members.

HARRY C. BUFFINGTON. 

